FAQ

We are currently only open to members and people taking classes. Please check-out our offerings to learn more. We hope to offer more drop-in style pottery options in the coming months, please follow us on Instagram or sign-up to our newsletter to receive notifications of changes to our hours and schedule.

There are so many great potters in the Comox Valley and you can find a ton of them at The Pottery Place in Courtenay. Our studio is dedicated to providing space for people to learn and explore the art of pottery, but not selling pottery.

As we are a relatively small studio and our intention is to provide space for people learning and exploring pottery as a hobby, we do not accept production potters as members. However, if you’re interested in kiln rental, please get in touch.

Loam is located at 3336 Royston road, Courtenay BC. Loam is situated on a rural farm property, a 4 minute drive from Cumberland and 15 minutes from downtown Courtenay.

In addition to this being the home of Loam, it is also the home of Gemma and Doug, the owners of the studio. As it is their home we ask that visitors, students and members of the studio stay in the studio area and gardens that immediately surround it and don’t wander around the farm unless invited to do so. You’re welcome to sit on the studio’s patio, or, hang out in the nut orchard. We will offer occasional open farm days and tours in the future, sign up to our newsletter to receive information about when they happen.

We are on a rural farm property. There is a short walk from the parking lot to the studio on a gravel path. We have done our best to make the path even and the parking lot flat, but be aware that as this is gravel and grass, the ground can be uneven in places. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the season and conditions. Unfortunately, the studio is not wheelchair accessible.

If you live in Cumberland we are only a short 10 min bike ride from town. There is also a bus stop 450m from the studio. You can take the number 20 from Courtenay via Royston and then walk down the road. Please make sure to wear visible clothing if doing this when it’s dark.

Pottery can be a messy activity, which is part of the joy. Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on and that you might never get clean again! If you have an apron at home you’re welcome to bring that. We also have aprons available for purchase in the shop and a few available for students to use if needed. We require everyone to wear close-toed shoes in the studio for safety.

All of our kilns are fired at cone 04 or 06 for bisque and cone 6 for glaze.

You are welcome to bring your own pre-made glazes into the studio to use as long as we have pre-approved them and made a test tile first. Talk to the studio tech, or Gemma before you start using your own glazes. If you have a glaze suggestion or want to see something new let us know!

Yes, you can bring your own clay, as long as it is suitable for firing at cone 6. Please note that we do charge $22/bag for outside clay brought in by members. We also have a selection of clay available for purchase in person or through our website. Our clays are selected to work for cone 6 firings and priced with a slight mark-up to cover the cost of reclaim, firings and other studio costs.

Amazing, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to send us an email, leave a note in our suggestion box or chat with one of the Loam staff. We are always looking for ways to make the space better.

If you took a class or workshop at Loam your work will be available for pick-up 3 weeks after your last class. Work that is not picked up after 6 weeks from the last class date will be donated. Pick-up times will be emailed to students.

Member work can be picked up at any time Sunday-Saturday 9am-10pm. If you cancelled your membership, but still have work to pick-up, please allow three weeks for it to be fired before coming to pick-up your pieces. Times will be posted in the studio.

We’re sorry you can’t make it. You are welcome to find a friend to take your spot, just give us a heads up if you’re planning to make a switch or we can register you for a future class. When signing-up please keep in mind that this is a non-refundable class. Attendees must be 18+.